Is a blog devoted to the practice of avoiding unnecessary expenditures of time or money. Frugal living is good for your wallet, your health, and your planet. Let the discussion begin!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Rebates in a Material World

A few weeks ago I broke down and bought a new phone, a really nice one! The purchase price was a bit hefty, but it promised a rebate. I love a rebate, and quickly sent in the form. Last week the "rebate" arrived. Gone was the familiar check I am used to seeing. In its place was a VISA card; it is "worth" $100. Sadly, I cannot deposit it into my savings account, which is what I normally do with rebates. No, it has no cash value. It designed to be spent.

This really irks me. And is another annoyance I have with US Cellular. Now that they've gone to a no-contract plan, I am going to be looking around for other options. Until then, I have to figure out how to spent this $100. I made the purchase through my legal practice, and most of my expenses are for fixed items: rent, salary for an assistant, bar dues. None of which can be paid with the rebate card. It also expires in October, so I don't want to let it slip my mind.

Beware readers. Rebates are no longer what they used to be. They are designed to get you to spend. We are living in a Material World!

2 comments:

You could use it to pay down your phone bill, or transfer $100 from your checking to savings and use that card as your grocery money for the week. It doesn't need to go to a frivolous or extra expense. Some cards even have the option to get cash using them at an ATM. Not a total loss! We use our "points" on our credit card in a similar manner - instead of redeeming them for "rewards" we use them to pay down the balance of the card.

Elizabeth -- Thanks for the comment. I did exactly what you described; used the card to pay for household expenses and transferred the amount to my business account. It is now used up; no more need to keep track of it. I'm going through an anti-credit card phase, and was disappointed to see a rebate come in this form. The forces are for people to spend, not save, and I see grave problems with that. More later this week as I review a book on women and money.